Client Stories

Diversity Foods - A Model of Sustainability

Diversity Food Services

Created to provide local, organic, and healthy food options, Diversity Food Services celebrated its five-year anniversary in 2013. The joint venture between SEED Winnipeg and the University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation is a social enterprise providing quality jobs for immigrants, newcomers and aboriginal people. Diversity Food Services assisted in the creation of 46 jobs as of March 31st, 2011, excluding 5 management positions, 57% of which were immigrants/newcomers/visible minorities.

“Diversity Food Services is a unique food service operation designed around the four pillars of sustainability: cultural vitality, economic health, environmental responsibility and social equity,” explains Godbout, Manager of Operations at Diversity.

The award-winning, media-generating Diversity Foods has seen substantial growth with the opening of Elements: the restaurant in September 2011. The fourth site of Diversity Food Services, Elements: the Restaurant, boasts a licensed dining area and seasonal patio devoted to nutritious foods prepared from scratch inside the new Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex, located on Portage Avenue at Langside Street.

“The success of the enterprise has been exciting, challenging and rewarding all at the same time!” says Carinna Rosales, Director of SEED’s Business Development Services. “I am proud to be part of something that is facilitating positive change.”

Having the support of SEED means less sleepless nights, a bottomless well of support and resources to tackle any issue or dream…

Kirsten Godbout, Manager of Food Operations & Catering for Diversity Food Services, is grateful for SEED’s support in the ongoing and expanding venture.

Says Godbout: “Having the support of SEED means less sleepless nights, a bottomless well of support and resources to tackle any issue or dream, a great sounding board to fine-tune plans and a professional community to allow for personal and professional growth.”

For more information, e-mail diversity@uwinnipeg.ca call 204-786-9237 ; or visit http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/food-services-overview or https://www.diversityfoodservices.com.